Bird feeder



April 14, 1953 R. M. MAYES 2,634,705

BIRD FEEDER Filed Nov. 27, 1951 '5 Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTOR, QOBERT M. MAYE-S, EYW Q.

AT TORNE Y.

April 14, 1953 R. M. MAYES 2,634,705

BIRD FEEDER Filed NOV. 27, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 7- /8 IN VENTOR, 7 !?oBERT M. MAYES,

JBYW a? E TORNEY.

April 1953 R. M. MAYES 2,634,705

BIRD FEEDER Filed Nov. 27, 1951 25 Sheets-Sheet 5 /8 INVENTO E Z POBERT M. MAY/55, JBYW 27mm Patented Apr. 14, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE BIRD FEEDER Robert M. Mayes, Paoli, Ind. Application November 27, 1951, Serial No. 258,327

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a bird feeder of a knockdown type, which may be readily assembled by the user or purchaser all without the use of any tools, nails or other like securing devices.

The invention is embodied in a structure which is supplied to the trade in a knockdown condition, wherein the various separate pieces may readily be contained in a flat condition within an envelope.

In addition to the knockdown and quick assembly feature, a primary purpose of the invention is to provide an exceedingly simple, but most effective structure wherein bird feed may be carried, and the absence of bird feed be readily observable from a distance by reason of the fact that when the feed becomes lowered in the feeder, that condition becomes evident at various levels by reason of a clear view being had through the feeder at those levels.

Still further important features of the invention reside in the peculiar construction of the individual parts going into the complete assembly, and particularly in the cover and the bail support which not only serves to suspend the feeder, but also to retain a top cover in position, and still permit that cover to be swung over to one side for feeder filling purposes.

These and many other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art of the following description of one particular form, in which Fig. 1 in the drawings is a reduced view in perspective of an assembled structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of one of the ends of the feeder;

Fig. 3 is a View in tom or floor pieces;

Fig. 4 is a view in top plan of one of the intermediate side elements;

Fig. 5 is a view in end elevation and partial section of the top cover and a supporting bail;

Fig. 6 is a View in end elevation and partial section of the assembled structure; and

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation and partial section. 7

The various elements entering into the con :struction embodying the invention may be made out of a wide range of materials, preferably made out of a rather hard surfaced material which will stand the weathering effects of the elements, since the assembled device is intended to be used out of doors.

A pair of identical end elements H] and H, the element 10 being shown on an enlarged scale i Fi are provided to have a plurality of top plan of one of the botslots l2 entering from one edge diagonally downwardly, and slots l3 entering from the opposite edge to extend diagonally downwardly, these slots 12 and [3 extending in inclined directions at the same angles to their respective edges 14 and I5, the entrance of the slots [2 and I3 being at identical elevations. Also the terminal ends I6 and H are at common elevations for the opposite slots.

Adjacent the lower end I8 there are slots 19 and 28- entered into the pieces l0 and II from the edges I l and 15 respectively to enter therein at the same elevation, and to extend downwardly and inwardly of the end pieces, to have their ends 2! and 22 terminate at the same elevation. The slots l9 and 20 enter the edges I4 and I5 at less acute angles than do the slots I2 and I3, Fig. 2. Also the slots I9 and 20 are spaced a less distance below the ends l6 and ll of the slots 12 and [3 than are the slots l2 and [3 respectively spaced one from the other.

Two bottom or floor pieces 23 and 24 are made in identical size and configuration, the element 23 being illustrated on an enlarged scale in Fig. 3. This piece 23 has a pair of spaced apart slots 25 and 2B entering therein from one edge 21, the slots 25 and 26 having their sides in parallel relation to the outer ends 28 and. 29 of the piece 23, the slots 25 and 26 being spaced at an equal distance from those respective ends 28 and 29.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, a plurality of side elements 30 are provided to have slots 3! and 32 entering therein from one longitudinal edge 33, the slots 3! and 32 being spaced apart the same distance as are the slots 25 and 26 in the element 23. The important difference between the element 35 and the element 23 is that the element 30 is much less in width than is the element 23, for the purpose as will hereinafter appear. A top or cover 34 is provided to have a planar shape, and it is provided with a pair of spaced apart holes 36 and 31 therethrough, the spacing between these holes 36 and 31 being substantially the same or slightly greater than the distance between the outermost margins of the slots 3| and 32 in the piece A bail 38 is formed to be generally U-shape to have a curve connecting web 39 between two legs 40 and 4|, each of these legs 4!) and 4| having an inturned foot 42 and 43 respectively one directed towards the other.

To assemble the structure, the piece 23 is positioned across the two end pieces [0 and I Ito have the end pieces In and I I enter the slots 25 and 26 so that the ends 2I of the slots I9 will be abutted by the ends 45 and 46 of the slots 25 and 26. The end pieces I and II will be spaced apart as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7. The lengths of the respective slots 25 and 26 and the slots I9 in each of the end pieces Ill and II are such that the floor piece 23 will extend outwardly and angularly upwardly in the position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6 particularly. The transverse width of the piece 23 is such that its edge 2! will extend inwardly from the end piece and edges I4 a distance beyond the vertical center lines of the two end pieces I0 and I I.

Next the other floor piece 24 is inserted to have its slots 25 and 26 come to straddle a central portion of the ends I0 and II while the slots of the end pieces I0 and II will straddle a central portion of the element 24, whereby the slot ends 45, 46 will come into abutment with the slot ends 22 of the two end pieces I0 and II. In order to efiect this abutment, the inner edge 27a of the piece 24 will overlap the edge 21 of the piece 23 as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6.

In so doing, the edge portions adjacent the edges 21, 21a will be sprung slightly from the original planar condition of the pieces 23 and 24 so that there is a gripping action between those two elements 23 and 24 tending to retain them firmly in position in their interlockingengagement with the end pieces I0 and I I. It is evident that the end pieces I0 and I I will be spaced apart to extend in the main vertically above the floor pieces 23 and 24.

The next step in the operation of assembling the device is to insert the various side pieces 30 into the respective end pieces through their slots I2 and I 3, with the slots 3| and 32 of those side pieces 30 receiving the end pieces I 0 and II in part therein so that the ends I 6 and I1 of the respective slots I2 and I3 come into abutment with the inner ends 4'! and 48 of the slots 3I and 32 of the pieces 30.

In the form herein shown, there are five each of the slots I2 and I 3, and therefore there are five each of the elements 30 on each side of the end pieces Ill and I I.

Referring to Fig. 6, the various side entering slots I2, I3, and I9, 20 are shown in exaggerated widths in order to make it clear how these floor elements 23 and 24 are interengaged with the end elements In and I I, and also how the sides 30 are likewise interengaged. Normally the slots would be of substantially the same width as is the thickness of the various elements entering therein so that. there will be frictional engagement to provide a rather rigid assembled structure.

The important feature is to be noted in that when the side elements 30 are interengaged with the respective end pieces ID and II, the edges33 of opposite pieces 30, that is pieces at the same elevation, are at the same common elevation one in respect to the other, and this elevation of these edges 33 is above the elevation of the opposite edges, the then top edges of the pieces 30. In other words, there is a vertical spacing between the edges 33 of the elements 30 in one tier in respect to the edges 49 in the next below tier so that a clear view may be had over the edges 49 entirely across the side pieces Ill and II and under the edges 33.

The bail 38 is engaged with the top 34 by manipulating it in the manner indicated in the various steps in Fig. 5, wherein the initial step present the bail as to the top 34 by insert g isto the foot 42 downwardly through the hole 31 in the top 34. The foot 42 is carried downwardly through the hole 31 until the leg 49 strikes the top side of the top 34, whereupon the bail 38 is rocked around into the position shown by the dash lines 38a. This position Will bring the bail 38 around to have the feet 42 and 43 into positions 42a and 43a in positions outside of the top 34, and the bail is then rotated in the direction of the arrow, to bring it around to the dash dot position 381), to have the foot 43 brought over from the position 43a to the position 43b and inserted downwardly through the hole 33, and then the bail 38 is revolved around in a clockwise direction from the position 3812 in the direction of the arrow, to the position 38c indicated by the double dot dash lines, whereupon the bail may be carried downwardly in the direction of the arrow to the position as represented.

The legs 40 and 4| are inclined from the web portion 39 inwardly one toward the other slightly. Thus when the bail is relatively pushed downwardly by its legs 43 and 4I through the holes 36 and 37, the curvature of the bail causes those legs to spread apart, more rapidly as the curved web 39 comes to the holes 36 and 37, as indicated best in Fig. 7. This causes the feet 40 and M to be spread apart so that when the bail 3B is carried downwardly through the top 34, these feet 42 and 43 will be spread apart a sufiicient distance to permit them to straddle the ends I0 and II, whereupon they may be carried downwardly to holes 53, one each in the upper central end portion of the pieces I0 and I I, and therefore the top 34 may be pushed downwardly to permit these feet 42 and 43 to enter those holes 53 so that when the top 34 is pushed entirely down against the top edges of the end pieces II] and II, the legs 40 and M will be brought one toward the other a distance to permit the full insertion possible of the feet 42 and 43, this condition being indicated in Fig. 7. In this manner, the top 34 is held in fixed relation to the end pieces In and II.

That completes the assembly of the unit. When the unit is to be supplied with feed 50, Fig. 1, the top 34 is lifted part way up the bale 38 to some such position as indicated by the dash lines, Fig. 6, whereupon the top 34 may be pulled and dropped down on one side of the end pieces I 0 and I I, the bale swinging with the top around to the dash line position also. That permits full access to the top side of the structure whereupon the feed 50 may be poured in to strike the uppermost side elements so, one on each side, and the feed can flow downwardly therebetween until it strikes and builds up on the floor pieces 23 and 24, the feed being inclined outwardly at normal angles of the repose from under the edges 33 to rest against the top faces of the elements 33 in each instance. The spacing of the edges 33 of the lowermost elements 30 above the floor pieces 23 and 24 is purposely made to be less than the spacing between the elements 33, in order that the birds may not unduly rake out seed from under the edges 33 of those lowermost pieces 30 and thus cause it to overflow from the pieces 23 and 24 and be wasted. These pieces 23 and 24 serve as perches for the birds to alight upon, and then feed .on the seed 50 as it appears between the elements 30 on each side of the unit.

As the feed is consumed, the top level will drop, and the indication of that level will become apparent visually by looking between the adjacent elements 30, This can be determined at quite a distance from the feeder so that it is unnecessary to disturb birds in examining the feeder for food content until the level drops to that condition where the feed needs to be replenished.

A hook is normally supplied to engage with the bail 38, and be hooked over any suitable support such as a tree limb 52 from which the entire structure may swing. The swinging action of the feeder when a bird alights on either piece 23 or 24, tends to prevent bridging of the feed 50 inside of the feeder, and therefore causes the feed to flow downwardly as it is consumed.

The structure may be disassembled as readily as it is assembled by removing the top 34, that is to lift it up to the dash line position such as is indicated in Fig. '7, spread apart the legs 40 and 4| so as to disengage the feet 42 and 43 from the ends I0 and H. Then the various side elements 30 may be pulled outwardly and also the floor pieces 23 and 24 pulled outwardly so that all of the elements then may be stored in flat relationship for further use.

While the invention is herein shown in the one particular form as described, it is obvious that structural changes may be employed without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond the limitations which may be imposed by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A knockdown bird feeder comprising a pair of identical end pieces, each piece having a plurality of vertically spaced apart pairs of slots entering the vertical edges of the piece wherein one slot in each pair enters one edge on one side of the piece and the other slot enters the other edge on the other side of the piece, each at the same elevation, the slots extending from their respective edges acutely inwardly and downwardly of the piece to terminate by spaced apart ends at a common elevation; said end pieces each having a pair of lowermost slots, one slot entering from each side of the piece at a common elevation with the entrance of the other and sloping inwardly and downwardly of the piece in each instance at an angle less acute than that of the first said slots and terminating by inner spaced apart ends at a common elevation; a plurality of side pieces having relatively inner and outer longitudinal edges, each of said side pieces having a pair of slots entering its said inner edge, each slot spaced from the end of the side piece to terminate by slot ends spaced from the said outer longitudinal edge thereof; the widths of said end piece slots being substantially equal to the thickness of said side pieces, and the widths of said side piece slots being substantially equal to the thickness of said end pieces; said side pieces straddling said end pieces, the end piece slots at common elevations receiving therein a side piece in each instance, the slots of the side pieces receiving therein the end pieces and the ends of the slots of the end pieces and of the side pieces being in abutment one with the other, the sides of the respective slots frictionally engaging the faces of the side and end pieces; the relationship of the depths of said slots being that which spaces apart the opposing inner longitudinal edges of the side pieces engaged in the end piece slots of each of said slot pairs; and a pair of floor pieces, each floor piece having relatively inner and outer longitudinal edges, the floor pieces having a slot entering from the inner edges thereof and spaced from the floor piece ends; said floor pieces being V rality of vertically entered in said lowermost slots of said end pieces with the floor piece slots receiving therein said end pieces, the inner ends of of the floor piece slots abutting one another respectively; and the inner edges of said fioor pieces overlapping one another.

2. A knockdown bird feeder comprising a pair of identical end pieces, each piece having a pluspaced apart pairs of slots entering the vertical edges of the piece wherein one slot in each pair enters one edge on one side of the piece and the other slot enters the other edge on the other side of the piece, each at the same elevation, the slots extending from their respective edges acutely inwardly and downwardly of the piece to terminate by spaced apart ends at a common elevation; said end pieces each having a pair of lowermost slots, one slot entering from each side of the piece at a common elevation with the entrance of the other and sloping inwardly and downwardly of the piece in each instance at an angle less acute than that of the first said slots and terminating by inner spaced apart ends at a common elevation; a plurality of side pieces having relatively inner and outer longitudinal edges, each of said side pieces having a pair of slots entering its said inner edge, each slot spaced from the end of the side piece to terminate by slot ends spaced from the said outer longitudinal edge thereof; the widths of said end piece slots being substantially equal to the thickness of said side pieces, and the widths of said side piece slots being substantially equal to the thickness of said end pieces; said side pieces straddling said end pieces, the end piece slots at common elevations receiving therein a side piece in each instance, the slots of the side pieces receiving therein the end pieces and the ends of the slots of the end pieces and of the side pieces being in abutment one with the other, the sides of the respective slots frictionally engaging the faces of the side and end pieces; the relationship of the depths of said slots being that which spaces apart the opposing inner longitudinal edges of the side pieces engaged in the end piece slots of each of said slot pairs; and a pair of floor pieces, each floor piece having relatively inner and outer longitudinal edges, the floor pieces having a slot entering from the inner edges thereof and spaced from the floor piece ends; said floor pieces being entered in said lowermost slots of said end pieces with the floor piece slots receiving therein said end pieces, the inner ends of the end pieces and of the floor piece slots abutting one another respectively; and the inner edges of said floor pieces overlapping one another; said floor pieces extending by their outer edges outwardly beyond said side pieces thereabove to afford a bird alighting area.

3. A knockdown bird feeder comprising a pair of identical end pieces, each piece having a plurality of vertically spaced apart pairs of slots entering the vertical edges of the piece wherein one slot in each pair enters one edge on one side of the piece and the other slot enters the other edge on the other side of the piece, each at the same elevation, the slots extending from their respective edges acutely inwardly and downwardly of the piece to terminate by spaced apart ends at a common elevation; said end pieces each having a pair of lowermost slots, one slot entering from each side of the piece at a common elevation with the entrance of the other and sloping inwardly and downwardly of the piece in each instance at an angle less acute than that of the end pieces and the first said slots and terminating by inner spaced apart ends at a common elevation; a plurality of side pieces having relatively inner and outer longitudinal edges, each of said side pieces having a pair of slots entering its said inner edge, each slot spaced from the end of the side piece to terminate by slot ends spaced from the said outer longitudinal edge thereof; the widths of said end piece slots being substantially equal to the thickness of said side pieces, and the Widths of said side piece slots being substantially equal to the thickness of said end pieces; said side pieces straddling said end pieces, the end piece slots at common elevations receiving therein a side piece in each instance, the slots of the side pieces receiving therein the end pieces and the ends of the slots of the end pieces and of the side pieces being in abutment one with the other, the sides of the respective slots frictionally engaging the faces of the side and end pieces; the relationship of the depths of said slots being that which spaces apart the opposing inner 1ongi'tudinal edges of the side pieces engaged in the end piece slots of each of said slot pairs; and a pair of floor pieces, each floor piece having relatively inner and outer longitudinal edges, the

8 door pieces having a slot entering from the inner edges thereof and spaced from the floor piece ends; said floor pieces being entered in said lowermost slots of said end pieces with the floor piece slots receiving therein said end pieces, the inner ends of the end pieces and of the floor piece slots abutting one another respectively;

and the inner edges of said floor pieces overlapping one another; said fioor pieces extending by their outer edges outwardly beyond said side pieces thereabove to afford a bird alighting area; a cover resting on said end pieces; and a hanger extending through said cover and engaging said end pieces.

ROBERT M. MAYES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

